Artists all over Africa, brace yourselves for an exciting time in the music industry. Carob Magazine visits the new Industry players in the South African entertainment space, Volcano Records; a Jo’burg based 360 recording and talent management company that grooms stars from all over Africa. Mbhokota sits down with the COO of Volcano Records Caroline Philips to find out more about their company.

You can feel her strong presence as soon as she enters the room. She's the lady that makes things happen. Her name is Caroline Phillips. The soft spoken powerhouse is the backbone of Africa's first 360 Record Company that launched this month, Volcano Records. Volcano Records is an artist's dream come true. Complete with all what an artist needs. A recording studio, video production and Publicity that includes airplay on MTV, Chanel O, Planet TV etc.

“We’ve invested a lot into this dream Ntsako."Says Caroline Philips who runs the company with her husband, CEO of Volcano Records Obi Philips. “It has always been a dream of ours to create something in the music industry and leave a legacy behind because we both come from a very musical background.”-Caroline Philips.Turning artists into super stars. "When you're a nobody, nobody wants to associate with you, we are here to prove that no matter where you come from, if you have the talent and you work hard, then you have a chance in life."- Mrs Phillips.

Volcano Records offers talented artists a platform to excel while we provide them with the support that they need to do so.

I take a walk around their office, there’s resident artists upstairs from All over Africa, for example, their resident Producers are from Gabon, Ghana and Nigeria.

“Were all about versatility and bringing Africa together. Look at me and my Husband, He’s Nigerian and I’m South African. We've come together to build more than just a business but a legacy. This proves that a united Africa wins.” Says Caroline Phillips.

Volcano Records is without a doubt a success but the journey was not was not easy.“We’ve had a lot of challenges along the way, discrimination, we’ve built the studio without any third party funding or loan. Everything you see was funded straight from our pocket." -Mrs Phillips.

The Business

The Soweto Born business woman has always been a believer in doing things for herself.

“ I started out selling hairpiece..." She reminisces about the days when she started her business which eventually led to her traveling to China and opening her firs store in South Africa.

"Since then we’ve grown so strong and ventured into many business under Volcano group International. Under Volcano group international, we have Volcano Kids, Volcano Couture, and now Volcano Records."-Mrs Philips.

Family

I join the family for a drive as they collect their three beautiful children from school. “Family is everything for me. Family comes first. Because we are so busy at the office sometimes till late, we make sure to spend quality time together as a family by doing things like picking up our own kids from school and helping them with homework.”

Carob Magazine later joins them for lunch at their house. We enjoy one of Nigeria’s decadent meals, Egusi soup. After that it’s back to the grind as usual, meetings, till late.

Strength

As strong as she stands, she’s had her own fair share of trials. " I get my strength from God and everything that I’ve gone through in my life." - She says.

One night, when she was just 8 years old, Caroline Philips woke up to find out that her family house in Soweto was petrol bombed in 1992. Unfortunately her father did not survive the fire; he passed away from the 3rd degree burns.

Tragedy strikes again…

In 2014 Caroline Philips found herself fighting for her life in a coma. She had suffered renal failure after being hospitalized from a pregnancy complication. "When each and every organ in your body stops working and your body gives up on you but somehow I made a miraculous comeback before being declared dead."- She tells Carob Magazine. "I know God spared my life because I still have so many things to do. This feels like a second chance and it has taught me to live my life to the fullest. Life is unpredictable, nothing is guaranteed, hold the people that you love close to you."

Victory

"I live my life each and every day knowing that I am meant to be here and that I am here to make a difference in the lives of other people. I appreciate my family more, my husband, my kids, my sisters, my friends and my employees. God has given me a second chance to live my life to the full and I am thankful every day." -Caroline Philips.

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